@mulveling 

I did try to work with the seller and did my due diligence. The seller obviously understands what he is doing, that is why he rejected my return. Me & the seller know the cable is a worthless. The packaging is packaging. You can ask the seller why I received different packaging that matches nothing in their listing because he still hasn't explained anything.

Maybe you had a good experience with seller buying a cartridge but I challenge you to purchase the Diamond Cable and see how that plays out.

@bishop55 is it defective as in not working? Or is it working but you suspect it isn’t authentic? This much isn’t even clear.

The negative feedback the seller left you hints at a possibly offered option to authenticate this cable. But at this point I’m assuming it’s all has gone to crap. 
 

So is the cable working or not?

From the AQ website:

Beware of Counterfeits

Only Buy from Authorized AudioQuest Dealers and Distributors

One of the unfortunate consequences of building a successful premium brand is the appearance of counterfeit products. AudioQuest is not immune to this problem. While we make every effort to combat counterfeiting, we continue to see various products being sold as "AudioQuest" that are NOT genuine.

These counterfeits DO NOT meet AudioQuest quality standards and in fact, often turn out to be nothing more than common hardware store-grade cables hidden beneath an attempt to match our braid patterns and plugs.

The persons most hurt by these phony offerings are our potential customers, who in good faith may make a purchase feeling that they have stumbled upon a "too-good-to-ignore" deal. Also hurt are those who, while realizing the cables aren’t genuine, hold hope that the cables are at least “close” in quality. Sadly, this is very rarely the case.

We advise customers to buy only from authorized AudioQuest dealers and distributors. AudioQuest cannot ensure the authenticity of any product purchased from an unauthorized AudioQuest dealer.

AudioQuest can neither honor the warranties of products nor provide any level of support for products purchased through the following Marketplaces:

• Newegg
• Sears
• Walmart

If purchasing from a marketplace such as Amazon or eBay, please verify that the seller is authorized.

To visit the official AudioQuest Amazon Store, click here.

To verify that a dealer is authorized to sell AudioQuest before purchasing, click here.

Think you purchased a counterfeit?

if you click on the “online dealer” link…. Dunno …. Does your dealer appear among the authorized dealers …..?

You bought the cable from non authorized dealer from Asia no doubt at a discount. You feel you have been ripped off because the cable and packaging doesn't look right. Did you purchase your previous AQ cables from an authorized dealer? If not, how do you know that cable is legit too? Bottom line, if you want the real deal, buy directly from AQ or an authorized dealer. Remember, you get what you pay for.

You live and you learn.